With the rising cost of electricity and gas service, it is important
to know some simple techniques you can use to minimize these expenses.
This is an estimate of how you spend your energy dollar.
Below are some practical tips to help you.
- Set your cooling temperature up to 78°F. Dehumidified air
at this temperature is very comfortable. This is particularly
effective if used in conjunction with tip #2.
- Run your ceiling fan at all times a room is occupied. The air
movement will help to evaporate the moisture from the skin and
cools you by the evaporation process. The room will actually feel
4° to 5° cooler than the indicated temperature.
- Set the thermostat and leave it set unless the area is going
to be unoccupied for an extended period of time. If you don’t
own or use a programmable thermostat, you should.
- On the really hot days (above 95°F) don’t let the
temperature inside the house reach more than 5°F above the
desired temperature.
- Turn off your computer and monitor when not in use.
- Use your microwave instead of a conventional electric range
or oven.
- If your house has more than one system, the maximum temperature
setting difference between the two units should not exceed 3°F
- Keep the window coverings closed at least 75% during the hot
periods of the day. This is most important for houses that face
either east or west. Keep in mind that if your house faces east,
the peak cooling demand may be in the morning.
- Analyze and improve your duct leakage situation. The most accurate
method for this is conducted by a HERS Rater utilizing a Duct
Blaster and a Blower DoorAlthough minor duct repairs are easy
to accomplish, ducts in unconditioned spaces should be sealed
and insulated by qualified professionals using the appropriate
sealing materials. We can help! Here are a few simple tips to
help with minor duct repairs.
- Check your ducts for air leaks. First, look for sections
that should be joined but have separated, and then look for
obvious holes.
- Do not use regular duct tape to repair and seal your ducts,
it will fail. Instead look for tape with the Under-writers
Laboratories (UL) logo to avoid tape that degrades, cracks,
and loses its bond with age. For rigid ducts use UL-181A tape,
for flexible ducts use UL-181B tape
- Keep door and windows closed as much as possible. This lowers
the amount of air transfers with the outside.
- KEEP YOUR SYSTEM FILTERS CLEAN! Replace or
clean your basic air filters every thirty days.
For advanced filtration see manufacturers suggested replacement
policy.
- Have your system serviced before the heating and cooling seasons.
You change the oil in your car every 3000 miles to ensure performance
and longevity. Why wouldn’t you do the same for equipment
that cost almost as much? You and your family depend on it for
their comfort. Service contracts can help with this process.
- Keep your outdoor unit clean. The accumulation of dirt, grass
or other debris in the coils of your outdoor unit inhibits the
transfer of heat and causes your equipment to run hotter, longer,
and at a higher pressure. Click here for more information.
- Try to avoid doing the laundry or heavy cooking the heat of
the day. Keep the laundry room door closed when the washer and
dryer are operating.
- Air dry dishes instead of using your dishwasher's drying cycle.
- Replace incandescent bulbs with compact fluorescents.
- Always run a vent hood when cooking to remove heat and steam.
Check to make sue your vent hood is ventilated to the outside
and not your attic area.
- Houses with multiple systems must run both systems to achieve
optimum performance.
- Be sure the fireplace damper is in the closed position for the
summer and also in the winter if no fire is going. A great time
to do this is when you schedule you spring air conditioner check
up. Want to learn more?
- Run bath fans for at least 10 minutes after showering or bathing
to remove heat and humidity. Lower humidity means greater comfort
in your home during the cooling season. Check to make sue your
bath fan is ventilated to the outside and not your attic area.
- Take showers instead of baths to reduce hot water use.
- Plug home electronics, such as TVs and VCRs, into power strips
and turn power strips off when equipment is not in use.
- Lower the thermostat on your hot water heater; 115 is comfortable
for most uses.
- Wash only full loads of dishes and clothes.
- When entertaining large groups on hot days "pre-cool"
your home and cut back on the amount of cooking and laundry during
the heat of the day.
- Contact TexEnergy Solutions for a Home Energy Audit. We provide
Turn-Key Solutions that provide dollars to sense as well as Building
Science solutions for your homes’ energy, Heating, Ventilation
and Air Conditioning (HVAC) and Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) problem.
RELATIONSHIP OF TEMPERATURE
TO OPERATING COST
In an average home, the utility use could increase
20% if you attempt to cool your home to 75º as compared to 80º. Below is a chart that shows you the relationship between temperatures to operating cost.
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